By Alhagie Ceesay
As part of the Union’s keenness to enhance media adaptation to technological transformations in the media landscape, the General Administration of the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA) - Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Sputnik News Agency of Russia on Monday, April 22, 2024 organised an intensive online training on How AI has changed video production. The training course brought together participants of partner news agencies from around the globe including The Gambia News Agency (GAMNA).
Speaking during the opening session, the Director-General of the Union of OIC News Agency (UNA), Mr. Mohammed Al-Yami underscored the importance of the training, noting the significant roles artificial intelligence play in the field of media production; especially video production.
He highlighted that the seminar marks the beginning of a series of seminars to be organised in the future in cooperation between UNA, Sputnik and other news agencies within the framework of the fruitful partnership between the agencies.
Mr Al – Yami further explained that the convergence falls within the Union’s efforts to improve the capabilities of journalists in member countries, providing them with the necessary skills to keep up with the rapid changes in the international media landscape and enhance their competitiveness in this field.
The Director of International Cooperation at Sputnik News Agency and radio, Mr Vasily Pushkov, revealed that such joint activities demonstrate the potential for collaboration between Russia and the Islamic world in the field of media, enhancing open dialogue between agencies in this field. He noted that working with the Union of OIC News Agencies has proven beneficial, highlighting UNA’s role in facilitating the organisation of such courses.
The head of the Artificial Intelligence Project at Sputnik News Agency, radio presenter and instructor of the training, Mr Igor Arkhipov, explained the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in the field of media, especially in video production and visual content. He said many professionals and their clients have been curious as to how AI technology can change their day-to-day activities, making some tasks easier and opening up new possibilities for newer sorts of labour and employment since the debut and rapid adoption of ChatGPT or similar AI based technologies in design and video production automation. “Let us explore how artificial intelligence revolutionises the industry, enhances efficiency, and unlocks creative AI generate video possibilities”. He pointed out.
Mr Arkhipov went on to say that One of the key ways AI has transformed the video industry is through generative AI, which has enabled the automatic creation of videos, making video production faster and more efficient. For instance, AI-powered video editing tools can drastically reduce production times and budget requirements. “AI also enhances efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, allowing creative professionals to focus more on their work”.
Mr also warned that the risks associated with artificial intelligence, whether in terms of hacking or deep fake and propaganda campaigns, noting that these risks existed before artificial intelligence, but now have become more efficient with the spread of artificial intelligence technologies.
